PlayFootball Romford are inviting men to put their boots back on and join them for a celebration of football festivities to get active, have fun and raise life changing cash for Sport Relief.

If the traditional Sport Relief activities of running, swimming or cycling are not for you, PlayFootball has the answer.

The leading five-a-side football brand is opening the doors at the Romford centre at King George Playing Fields on Sunday (March 23) at 2pm to give individuals, groups of mates or teams the chance to simply turn up, have a kick-about and help raise money for Sport Relief projects.

The groups will be separated into under and over-35s and for every £2.50 individual entry fee, PlayFootball will match it and donate a total of £5 to Sport Relief for all 15 locations across the country.

Encouraging footballers to ‘Get Fit, Get Back to Football’, PlayFootball hosts over 1.5 million player visits each year.

Adult football offered includes organised competitive FA affiliated leagues, social pitch hire and team training. Whatever your standard or playing history, PlayFootball has a longstanding and passionate commitment to get Britain playing football over 30, 40 or 60-minute game times during flexible weekday evenings and all weekend.

PlayFootball and partner Gatorade studies have highlighted that the bursts of sprinting, jumping and rapid changes of direction that typify the five-a-side game help significantly improve men’s VO2max, a scientific measure of aerobic fitness. Loss of body fat and lowering of blood pressure were also all found to be key benefits.

In addition, the long-term belief held by men, but contested by their partners, that playing football with their mates is actually a good release from the pressures of everyday life. Research identifies those who exercise with their friendship groups experienced significant stress relief and increased self-esteem, underlining the importance of football as one of the ultimate forms of social fitness for players of all ages.

Matthew Evans, Nutrition & Science Advisor for Gatorade UK, said: “Five-a-side football is an excellent workout involving bursts of high intensity efforts leading to wide-ranging and long-term physical as well as psychological health benefits such as increased aerobic fitness and loss of body fat.

“Evidence also suggests that men exercising and competing with friends in activities such as 5-a-side find it an excellent way for them to socialise and stick with a fitness regime.”

*Have you retired before your time? You can join PlayFootball’s new Masters leagues as it’s never too late to pick up your boots and get back into football.

To find out about a free trial pitch booking or PlayFootball’s regular free-to-enter tournaments simply go to www.playfootball.net.